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Hockeyroos to face Dutch in WC final

Joe Barton

For the first time in nearly a decade the Hockeyroos will compete for a major title, after a nail-biting shootout victory over the United States on Thursday set up a World Cup final with the Netherlands.

In a physical, and at times controversial, clash Australia's women were forced to dig deep for the win, with American star Kelsey Kolojejchick twice levelling the scores in the 2-2 (3-1) game.

Australia appeared to have secured victory following goals to Kellie White and the tournament's leading sharp-shooter Anna Flanagan, only for Kolojejchick to send the match to a shootout by equalising with just two minutes left in regular time in the Hague.

But Australia could not be denied, with goalkeeper Rachael Lynch standing tall to make three stunning saves and send them into Saturday's final - their first World Cup or Olympic Games final since 2006.

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"To do it now is off the back of some hard work over a number of years," said coach Adam Commens, who took over in 2011.

With Lynch's defensive brilliance, Australia cruised through the shootout care of goals to White, Georgie Parker and Jodie Kenny.

"For Rachael today to save as many as she did and come so close on that other one, I think it just shows that she's a really good, class player back there. And we rely heavily on it."

The match was not without controversy, with the Americans complaining to officials about Australia's physical approach and aggressive tackling - while there were question marks surrounding the legitimacy of Kolojejchick's second goal.

Her shot was deflected in by Blyth, who immediately complained to officials that it was high and had been sailing wide before ricocheting in off her shoulder - which would be cause for a penalty.

The Australians understand they will face an ever sterner test against world No.1 Holland, who thumped Argentina 4-0 in the later semi-final in front of a raucous home crowd.

The Dutch downed Australia 2-0 in the group stages, but Commens saw enough in that contest to suggest an upset is on the cards.

"They've gone from a team that probably fought hard and was a tough side and was reasonably physically, to a side that is now capable of taking the game to the top nations in the world," he said.

"I think we saw that against the Netherlands in the round match.

"There's not many teams in the world that have been able to do that against the Netherlands in the last two years.

"I thought we were better than them for that (first half). I think that shows how far we've come."

Commens wasn't entirely satisfied with the performance against the US, but would've been pleased to see White notch her first goal of the tournament, a speculative swipe into the goal mouth which deflected in off the goalkeeper.

Likewise, the continuation of Anna Flanagan's set piece dominance should have raised a smile - she netted a sixth goal of the tournament with another trademark drag-flick to restore Australia's one-goal advantage.